Is it Time for an ENCORE?

The Oscars highlighted an array of musical acts last night, with many performers receiving standing ovations. Jennifer Hudson, Shirley Bassey and the cast of Les Miserables gave memorable performances that left the crowd wanting more.

Now, is it time for your encore?

A new trend is sweeping the business world, known as “encore entrepreneurship.” Picture this, doing what you love and giving back to the community – definitely worthy of a standing ovation.

According to a Kaufman Foundation study, the age group that saw the most entrepreneurial activity from 1996 to 2010 was those in the 55-64 year old bracket.  These entrepreneurs have been through the corporate world once before, and now are back for more!  This time, focusing on a true passion and even donating a little bit to charity, which helps to keep them pushing to make a difference.
FranNet is here to help you find what you are passionate about – providing free consulting services to make a great match.  Are you more comfortable around numbers and spreadsheets?  Do you thrive on delighting customers with exceptional service? Do like the idea of providing our senior community with a more comfortable and safe home environment? Are you a car nut and want to help keep everyone’s vehicle in running order?  We can help match you with franchisors that are expanding in Michigan, and are looking for your particular transferable skills and passions! 

Want to learn more about where you might fit?  On Wednesday, March 20 at 3pm, don’t miss your opportunity to "Meet the Franchisors Expanding in Michigan" at the Michigan Franchise Forum. This is your free chance to learn more about the franchise selection process and to hear from a variety of MICHIGAN-based franchisors that are still expanding in our great state.  Learn about their business concept, and ask them questions 1-on-1.  You might find something you truly could see yourself doing as your ENCORE!

For more information, please visit michiganfranchiseforum.com or contact me at 616-891-1374 or bbetser@frannet.com.

Your Million Dollar Idea Could Be Somebody Else’s

Everyone is searching for a million dollar idea.  It’s interwoven in the fabric of the American Dream, where the goal is to be as successful as you want to be.

Let’s be honest – there are only so many ideas that are going to hit “the big time.”  Many people have tried, and many people have failed. So, what if you could capitalize on an already successful business idea?

That’s the beauty of franchising!  You actually have the opportunity to achieve success from a proven, time-test business model that has predictable future results.  Franchising provides a very transparent due diligence process with the franchisor and existing franchisees.  The franchisor WANTS YOU TO SUCCEED – because they will succeed as well!

As part of the research, you’ll have the opportunity to ask a lot of questions about all aspects of franchise ownership within that particular system. You’ll be able to glean insight on both the successes, and failures of franchisees with similar backgrounds and market locations.  You’ll also be able to gain information on the support of the Franchisor, investment level, and your potential return on investment.

One of the biggest advantages to franchising is that you’re buying the tested operating model of the franchisor.  When you open your business on Day 1, you’ll be equipped with a system and process to apply to the operations of the business, including marketing and management.

Franchising, however, is not for everyone!   Because there are over 3000 different franchises to choose from, finding the right fit may be cumbersome.  In addition, some don’t find value in the payment of an initial franchise fee and on-going royalties.   Here at FranNet, we can assist you in recognizing the advantages and disadvantages of franchising, as well as finding the right fit.

If you want to learn more, feel free to contact us directly for discussion, or attend one of our upcoming events giving you the opportunity to hear from actual Franchisors. Join me in Grand Rapids on March 21st at 2pm for “Meet the Franchisors – West Michigan Franchise Forum,” a free, no-obligation seminar that puts you in the same room as Michigan Based Franchisors that have availability in West Michigan. Presented along with Buy Michigan Now!, you’ll get to learn more about specific franchise concepts, funding, operating systems and more that will get your entrepreneurial juices flowing!  For more information, please visit michiganfranchiseforum.com.  You can also contact me with any questions at 616-891-1374 or bbetser@frannet.com.

FRANNET hosts Business Ownership Seminar in Kalamazoo, MI on Thursday, February 14, 2013 1:00pm - 2:30pm

FranNet will be in Kalamazoo this Thursday, February 14, 2013 from 1pm - 2:30pm hosting a seminar on Business Ownership Options.

This seminar provides a great introduction to the three types of business ownership, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and how to reduce risk and find the right fit. 

We'll also take an in-depth look at franchising, including opportunities to keep your day job while running the business.  

In conclusion, an overview of how FranNet can simplify the search and assist in finding a business that is a great fit for you will be presented.

Attendance is key for those individuals that have been contemplating business ownership. 

Registration Required.

Location:  Signature & Associates Commercial Real Estate located at 950 Trade Centre Way, Ste. 140, Kalamazoo, MI  49002.

Contact Brigitte Betser at 616.891.1374 or bbetser@frannet.comfor more information.

An Introduction to Franchising

Quite simply, a franchise is a license to use the name, trademarks, and proprietary products of an existing company.  This means that you can start a business using someone’s proven system.  Sounds simple, right?

There are many facets to franchising, many potential franchises, and maybe a perfect franchise to fit your needs and lifestyle.  Whether you are looking for a career, an investment, or both – franchising is a potential way to kick start you on the road to success.  But, in all honesty, franchising is not right for everyone.

Step 1:  Watch “Introduction to Franchising,” a free online video sponsored by FranNet and the US Small Business Administration.  This will give you a great introduction to franchising, right in front of your computer screen.  Click here to watch “Introduction to Franchising.”

Step 2:  Attend “Franchising as a Career, an Investment, or Both,” a FREE session that I will be holding in Kalamazoo, MI on Thursday, February 14.  Here, we’ll talk a little bit more about your situation and talk more about if franchising is right for you.  Please note, there is no pressure as all of my services are 100% FREE to you.  Click here for more information and to register today.

Consider me as your personal franchising coach, as we’ll travel the road together to see if franchising is right for you.  Feel free to contact me with any questions at 616-558-2514 or bbetser@frannet.com.

UPCOMING SEMINARS AND WEBINARS
Light Manufacturing Business Opportunity
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
2:00 PM to 3:30 PMmore info and to register

Franchisor Spotlight: Semi-Absentee Food Concept - Largest in Its Category
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
8:00 PM to 9:30 PM

more info and to register

"Franchising as a Career, an Investment, or Both"
Thursday, February 14th, 2013
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
more info and to register

Can You Sit on Your Couch and Still Learn About Franchising?

FranNet is offering several FREE webinars throughout the rest of the month that you can sign up – which will help expand your knowledge of this type of business ownership AND delve deep into specific businesses looking to offer their franchising concept.

·    Wed., January 16th - 8:00 - 9:30pm
“Franchisor Spotlight: Semi-Absentee Health and Fitness Concept"
Are you looking for one of the fastest growing concepts in a $29 billion industry? Not only is this franchise exploding, but its industry is also seeing incredible growth. This franchise is truly a “lifestyle business” as the energy permeates across the Brand – and throughout its outlets.

• Ongoing, residual income.
• Semi-absentee ownership opportunity.
• Dynamic, exploding franchise.
• No industry experience required.
• You can change people’s lives.

Register now at http://michiganfranchiseforum.com/registration.php.
 
·    Thursday, January 17 - 2:00 - 3:30pm"Franchise Business Opportunities for Hispanic-Americans"Franchising is like the support one might see within a family. Franchisors assist their franchisees with operational, marketing and administrative help much like the support many will find in their family. And franchisees talk with each other in order to share best practices and uncover business-improving opportunities at the ground level. And with the advantages of technology and the internet, the support has become much easier and allowed for cultural and language barriers to be addressed much more easily.

During the webinar, we’ll cover:

• How to easily find the right franchise.
• The advantages to start a business.
• A look at franchise ownership.
• Misconceptions about franchising.
• Building your personal business model.     

Register now at http://michiganfranchiseforum.com/registration.php.

·    Thursday, January 17 - 2:00-3:30pm "Light Manufacturing Business Opportunity" Learn the in the outs of of one of FranNet's Unique business opportunities that offers many of the features and benefits of a franchise, but with NO ROYALTIES and NO RULES!
Light manufacturing, professional business-to-business format:

• Leverages owner’s marketing/sales/management skills
• Traditional business hours (M-F, 8:30-5:30)
• Requires few employees and with higher skill levels
• Offers recession-resistant products that every business needs
• High repeat business: About 80% of sales are generated by 30 to 50 corporate accounts. 
• Hear from the founder and president of the company, as well as several business unit owners in varying stages of growth.

Register now at http://michiganfranchiseforum.com/registration.php.
 
·    Wednesday, January 23rd - 2:00 - 3:30pm"Franchisor Spotlight: High Tech, Proprietary product, Retail Concept" Many businesses claim to be the technology leader in their field, but when you have 57 patents to your company’s name, only one company speaks the truth. And that’s exactly what this Franchisor Spotlight features – the undisputed technology leader in its industry.
This high gross margin business captures share in a $15 billion business, while catering to a demographic with built-in demand. The low cost store location only requires 600 -1000 square feet in order to operate efficiently and effectively. Given its retail aspect, owners receive immediate payment by check or credit card with very little cash handling, if any.

• 2-for-1 retail opportunity.
• Franchisor is the technology leader.
• Caters to a booming demographic.
• Quick ramp up.
• Get your weekends back.

Register now at http://michiganfranchiseforum.com/registration.php.

·    Wednesday, January 30 - 2:00 - 3:30pm"Business Ownership Exploration" Learn franchising basics, including the array of categories and investment levels available (starting at around $50K), and how to go about defining your own personal vision, matching that up with viable choices, and conducting proper due diligence to make sure your selecting the RIGHT fit for YOU!

Here is a brief outline of the topics covered in the "Business Ownership Exploration" webinar:

• How franchising can provide a desirable alternative to traditional employment by reducing the risk of ownership to an acceptable level through proven business systems, comprehensive training and ongoing support. 
• Basic information on franchising, including the range of industry categories, investment levels and fees. 
• The legal regulations governing franchising that protect the buyer.  
• A strategic approach to defining your personal business model, quantifying your returns and safely researching and selecting the business opportunity that best fits your unique personality, skills, needs and goals. 
• Growth trends and choices in franchising that offer stability and success in weak and strong economies. 
• A brief overview of FranNet’s no-fee, no-obligation consulting service.     

Register now at http://michiganfranchiseforum.com/registration.php.
 

Does Your Career Need a Check-Up?

Just like getting an annual physical at the Doctor, your career needs an annual check-up too!

 

Think about starting your career over right now. Knowing what you know, what would you do differently? What would you do the same? Would you work for someone else, or be your own boss?

There are lots of questions that you should be asking yourself when assessing your career. Here are a few more:

• Would you change industries if you could, or doesn’t that really matter?
• Are you achieving your financial goals in your current role?
• Does it provide you your desired lifestyle?
• Do you find yourself constantly telling yourself “Oh, hang in there, I’ll have a better day tomorrow.”?
• Do you jump out of bed in the morning, eager to head to work , or does the very thought of another day at the office make you want to roll over and hibernate for the winter?

 After assessing the answers to these questions, many of us realize that we need to take control of our professional growth and explore new career options. The world of work is constantly changing and the process of change must begin with you.

At FranNet, we work with clients to find them a great fit in franchise ownership as a career option to provide them the opportunity to achieve all of their financial and lifestyle goals. Even those that aren't ready to make the jump 100% into full-time business ownership, can explore options for semi-absentee franchise option in order to start building their "Plan B".

It all starts with an evaluation of core competencies, communication styles, and management and sales abilities through the completion of our proprietary online personal franchise assessment. Once the results of the assessment are analyzed, a unique "Business Model " is created by having discussion on goals and personal preferences. Matches to franchise opportunities are then made and explored hand-in-hand with a FranNet Franchise Placement Specialist.

If the results of YOUR Career Checkup indicate that a new path is order, perhaps we can help you with that.

To learn more about working with FranNet to explore Franchising as a Career Option, please contact Brigitte Betser at FranNet of West Michigan at www.frannet.com/bbetser, bbetser@frannet.com or 616.891.1374.

Business Ownership - A Career? An Investment? Both?

As 2013 draws near, many questions remain ...  Will my job still exist?  Will my 401(k) jump off the fiscal cliff?  There are many things that effect you that are outside of your control.

Maybe it's time to take control.

Business ownership is a way to take control.  Whether you see owning a business as an investment or a new career - there are many avenues that can point you towards success.

Join me on Wednesday, December 19 in Caledonia, MI (from 1:30pm to 3:00pm) for more information about franchising and the different ownership options and entry strategies available (ranging from single unit owner to semi-absentee investor to regional developer. We'll talk about paths to achieving YOUR goals, and if franchising is right for you.

Following is a brief outline of the topics covered in FranNet’s seminar:
- General discussion of the reasons that compel individuals to start their own business in the first place.
- A comparison of the pros and cons of starting a business from scratch, buying an existing business or starting a franchise.
- How franchising can provide a desirable alternative to traditional employment by reducing the risk of ownership to an acceptable level through proven business systems, comprehensive training and ongoing support.
- Basic information on franchising, including the range of industry categories, entry and long-term strategies, investment levels and fees.
- The legal regulations governing franchising that protect the buyer.
- A strategic approach to defining your personal business model, quantifying your returns and safely researching and selecting the business opportunity that’s right for you.
- Growth trends and choices in franchising that offer stability and success in weak and strong economies.
- A brief overview of FranNet’s no-fee, no-obligation consulting service is also provided.

For more information, please visit www.frannet.com/bbetser or call me at 616-891-1374.  You can also email me at bbetser@frannet.com.  Registration is required, and can be done at frannet.com/bbetser.  This is the first step in taking control, I look forward to hearing from you!